Pill Bug

Armadillidium vulgare

Appearance

Image of Pill Bug (Armadillidium Valgare) | Rentokil Pest Control Australia
  • Less than an inch long.
  • 7 pairs of jointed legs.
  • 2 pairs of antennae.
  • The colour varies, but commonly slate grey.

Lifecycle

  • Mate throughout the year, with most activity in Spring.
  • There can be one or two generations per year,
  • They reach adulthood within a year.
  • They can live up to three years, depending on weather conditions.

Habits

  • They are slow-moving crustaceans, related to crayfish, shrimps and lobsters.
  • Locations - Require moist habitats as their gill-like breathing organs need to be moist. On hot days they remain under objects on the ground such as logs. They are inactive over Winter except in heated buildings such as greenhouses.
  • Feeding - Decaying vegetation and some living plants.
  • Pill bugs are eaten by many animals. Their main protection is rolling into a tight ball.
  • They do not bite.